Robertson happy to take time in search for Allen’s successor

STEWART ROBERTSON believes the next Rangers director of football will inherit a far better situation than Mark Allen did when he was appointed at Ibrox.

The board are on the hunt for Allen’s successor after the Welshman left his position this month.

Allen oversaw significant changes on and off the park during his tenure and was involved in the process that brought Steven Gerrard to the club last season.

The former Manchester City Academy chief was praised on his departure and managing director Robertson said: “We are taking our time. We want to make sure we get the right man for the job. We’ll keep the structure as we have invested a lot in to that side of the club. So we’ll just take our time looking at the market. Sooner would be better than later, but we are fortunate in the timing coming at the end of the August window.

“The squad is strong. On one hand it would be ideal if we got someone in for January but it is not an issue if we don’t. Steven said that the other day as well, but it is definitely a position we fill.

“The person we bring in has to be good at relationships – with the manager, the board and other staff throughout the club. Whoever comes in will obviously need to have a strong relationship with the football department. We will look at everyone who is available before we take a decision. We will keep the search as wide as we can.

“It was [a surprise Mark left]. He has been away from his family for two years and it is quite an intense job. Mark put his heart and soul into it.

“I think, after the transfer window, he thought it was maybe time to get closer to his family again.

“There is no doubt the club is in a different place from the two-and-a-bit years ago when we recruited Mark. He shook up the football department and put in an infrastructure. He improved the actual physical aspects of the building as well.

“With the profile of the club now, it is probably a more attractive proposition to people than it was previously.”

Gerrard revealed this month that Ryan Jack was set for a new contract after an impressive start to the campaign. The midfielder has been a key player and Robertson said: “There is no update but Ryan has done really well so it certainly something we are looking at.”